The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-04


the same color as the serge would give
pretty finish.
But wouldn't it tear sasily2" asked
Jack.
"Why, yes, il it were handled rough
ly," replied, "but on pillow like this
it would wear for years."
On the whole I think I'd like it better
without any such filagree work-simple
things are always best" returned my
somewhat discouraged pupil, as for the
fifth time he picked out some unruly
stitches that 1 plainly told him would
spoil the looks of the whole pillow.
Well, in due course OF time it was fin
ished, that is, the plain serge cover was
firmly stitched together, and then how I
longed to embroider upon it some lovely
bit of sentiment about the murmuring
pines and the balmy fir treesl But of
course all that was out of the question.
Jack had evidently no idea of doing
anything further in the way of needle
work, yet was as anxious as ever to have
the whole pillow made by his own hands.
On the whole he was very patient and
persevering pupil for an active young
fellow SO devoted to tennis and base ball
and often used to wonder what tender,
loving thoughts he was working into
those great clumsy seams when I saw
that peculiar far-off look come into his
beautiful brown eyes.
There was only one thing that troubled
me. In spite of the persistency with
which Jack had worked day after day
upon the pillow, and in spite of the nu-
merous letters that came to him address
ed in delicate feminine hand, couldn't
help noticing as did all the other board
ers in our little hotel that the young man
was paying marked attention to pretty
young girl who had lately joined our par
ty. She had fascinated us all, this winsome
Muriel Fales, with her sweet face, and her
charming manner, aud couldn't wonder
that Jack had not been able to resist the
spell; but then-did 1 not know his Sc
cret, and were not all my sympathies
with the frail little creature for whom
the fir pillow was designated? How could
young man be SO tickle. Was the old
prove true again in his case? I was be-
ginning to be much disappointed in
Jack.
"Tll let you know if the fir pillow
really does her any good" he said to
me in light fippant way that quite
vexed me, as he babe us goodby few
days later. A telegram had come to him
from distant city, and although knew
we should all miss the bright young fell
low, l was heartily glad of anything that
would take him away from beautiful
Muriel Fales. Not that had anything
against her; ON the contrary, l was
charmed with her myself, for she was no
coquette, but a sincere, gentle, noble
hearted young girl. Still 1 couldn't help
seeing that matters were beginning to
take serious turn with her as well as
with Jack, and I thought it was high
time that such scandalous proceedings
should come to an end. Indeed, had
half mind to tell Muriel myself all
about that mysterious pillow, only that l
had promised Jack eternal secrecy in re-
gard to it. Now, though I am an old
maid, and supposed to have all an old
maids proclivities for meddling with
other peoples concerns, it is not often
that 1 become so greatly interested in
people that meet in this random way at
quiet summer resort.
But Muriel and Jack and the little
consumptive maiden had somehow crept
each one Of them, right into my foolish
old heart, and 1 felt strangely RESPONSE
BILE for the future happiness of them all.
Moreover, Muriels mother had placed
her under my charge for the remainder
of the summer we were to talk French
together, preparatory to her European
trip in the falkland when the frank
Dung girl, knowing my interest in Jack,
began to show me the letters that came
to her on his return to the city, the bur-
den weighed upon me all the more heav-
lily. Each letter, as could plainly see,
grew more and more lover-like, till at last
Muriel ceased to show them to me, but
would read me short sentences here and
there with a charming, .blushing hesita-
ton that could not fail to interpret.
One day, however, there came to me,
as well as to Muriel, letter from Jack,
and as it will explain to you the whole
situation, especially the romance of the
pillow, far better than my gsrrulous talk
could do, 1 am going to give it to you in
full:
my DEAR Miss HARDAoHE-I prom
ised to let you know if the fir pillow you
SO kindly helped me to make for my poor
Apgora pussy really did her any good.
Mothers letters about her quite worried
me while was with you at the noun
tains, for she is OF rare breed, and is a
great favorite with us all. The doctors
told us her sickness was case Of con-
firmed consumption, but since sleeping
on the fir pillow her cough has grown
less frequent and her appetite is decided
ly better. l think she fully appreciates,
too, the delicate strawberry fragrance
we took that long, pleasant walk around
the mountain to secure. If she RECEIVERS,
as now feel almost sure she will, hope
to have the pleasure OF presenting her to